David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kevin Lane, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned three indictments charging 61 individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, in and around New Haven. The indictments were unsealed today after 32 of the defendants were arrested. Fourteen defendants were already in custody, and 15 are still being sought by law enforcement.

These indictments stem from “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in New Haven’s Dwight/Chapel and Fair Haven sections. The year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine, execution of search warrants, seizures of narcotics and firearms and extensive physical surveillance.

According to statements made in court, in the spring of 2011, the DEA Task Force, in conjunction with the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department, evaluated crime statistics in New Haven and determined that the Dwight/Chapel neighborhood, known as “the Tre,” was one of the sections of the city with the highest number of violent crimes. Investigators also developed information that there was a large presence of Bloods street gang members in that neighborhood, and much of the violence there stemmed from gang-related drug trafficking.

In association with today’s arrests, law enforcement officers seized five firearms, quantities of crack cocaine and heroin, and approximately $50,000 in cash.

“I want to acknowledge the brave and dedicated work of the DEA Task Force, and all of the police departments and law enforcement agencies who participated in this lengthy and substantial investigation and today’s arrests, including the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments, ATF and the U.S. Marshals Service,” said U.S. Attorney Fein. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal partners are committed to working closely with local and state law enforcement to reduce gang violence and to bring narcotics and firearms traffickers to justice.”

“The arrests of these individuals will send a clear message that there is no area that DEA and our law enforcement partners will relinquish to gangs,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Lane. “If you traffic drugs you will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted. These arrests are a beginning not an end. The success of this operation is a direct attribute of the collaborative work effort of the DEA New Haven Task Force, our local law enforcement counterparts and the United States Attorney’s Office.”

“The New Haven Police Department is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DEA and all the law enforcement agencies involved who have partnered with us to address violence in our city and to hold those responsible accountable,” said New Haven Police Chief Dean Esserman.

“The success of today’s multi-jurisdictional operation represents outstanding collaboration and effective pooling of resources on the part of local and federal law enforcement authorities,” said Hamden Police Chief Thomas Wydra. “We place a very high value on fostering and maintaining these partnerships in the interests of enhancing the quality of life in our communities, and our overall law enforcement product.”

On May 15, 2012, the grand jury returned an indictment charging the following 44 individuals with various narcotics offenses related to the trafficking of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin primarily in the Dwight/Chapel area of New Haven:

The indictment also charges WILSON and PIERRE GALAN with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and WILSON with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics trafficking felony. GILBERT GALAN, Jr. is also charged with unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

The grand jury returned a separate indictment charging the following nine individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine, also in the Dwight/Chapel area of New Haven:

The grand jury also returned an indictment charging the following eight individuals with offenses relating to the trafficking of cocaine and crack cocaine, predominantly in Fair Haven:

JAMES BOWMAN, a.k.a. “Jimmy-Jam,” 33, of New Haven,EARL BANKS, a.k.a. “E.J.,” of 21, of New Haven,THOMAS CARR, a.k.a. “Tommy Love,” 24, of New Haven, THOMAS CROCKER, a.k.a. “Stuffy,” 26, of New Haven,LEWIS FREEMAN, a.k.a. “Free,” 30, of New Haven,DEION MANUEL, a.k.a. “Brother D,” 26, of New Haven,TIFFANY MARTINEZ, 23, of New Haven, andDAVID THOMAS, 28, of New Haven

If convicted, the substantial majority of the defendants in these cases face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of life, and fines of up to $10 million. Due to having incurred prior narcotics trafficking convictions, a number of defendants face increased penalties.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments. The Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain and Stratford Police Departments have provided assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.